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Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Questions (18)

Michael Ring

Question:

18. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications submitted in 2021 to date that were found to have an error on the consent form at checking stage; if he has plans to simplify the consent form or amend it to reduce possible future errors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56299/21]

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Written answers

Under Section 14(1) of the Passports Act 2008, the consent of a child’s guardian(s) must be given before the Passport Service can issue them a passport.

The Passport Service does not currently record the incidence of errors in consent forms at the important checking and validation stage. Our focus is always on the verification of consent which is vital to protect the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and the guardians.

The Passport Service monitors and seeks to improve issues that arise for applicants during the online and paper based passport application process. The Passport Service advises applicants during the online application process to make sure that the consent form is correctly witnessed once they have completed the online process.

The Passport Service provides instructions on how to correctly complete these forms on the Department's website

(www.dfa.ie/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/ ).

In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.

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